Course Schedule

1. Students will be able to name (from a structure) or draw (from a name) organic compounds containing polar C-X bonds: alcohols, ethers, epoxides, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids, anhydrides, acid chlorides, esters, amides, carboxylate salts and carbohydrates.
2. Students will be able to predict the outcome of a reaction of organic compounds containing one or more of the above functional groups, and will be able to propose how to create those functional groups from other organic reactants.
3. Students will be able to show how to use the reaction chemistry they know to construct multistep syntheses of complex organic molecules.
4. Students will be able to use spectroscopic data to identify structures of organic molecules, and will be able to explain parallels between spectroscopic behavior and chemical reactivity.

Grading:

• Two hour exams. 100 points each.
• Ten graded homework sets administered via the Sapling site (10 points each). These are due at midnight each Sunday evening . Because the last of these is administered during Dead Week, anyone who attempts Homework 10 will receive full credit. You may request an extension of any due date for a legitimate emergency.
• The Final Exam. The Final will be a comprehensive exam, covering the entire year and worth 180 points.

No makeup exams or quizzes will be given. In case of an emergency that prevents you from completing any of the graded exercises, please let me know as soon as possible. Unexcused failure to complete a homework or exam will result in a grade of zero for that exercise; in the case of an excused absence, all other work will be pro-rated. The Final Exam must be completed to earn a passing grade.

Letter grades will be assigned on a curve where the average letter grade lies at the B-/C+ cutoff. However, this curve will be no more difficult than a 90/80/70/60 curve, i.e., if you earn 90%, you will receive at least an A-. Incompletes will be granted at the discretion of the instructor for medical or other extenuating circumstances according to University policy.

Exam policy: Bring only a pencil and eraser; if you wish you may bring a molecular model kit (recommended). You will be given scratch paper. No calculators, phones, ipods or other electronic gear (including smart watches) will be permitted. Use of any notes or other unapproved material during exams will be taken as evidence of academic dishonesty and handled according to University policy.

You may request a regrade on any graded exercise; that request must be submitted prior to the start of the Final Exam.

All work you submit for a grade is expected to be your own. You are welcome (and encouraged) to make use of the text, class notes or Web material when working homework, and you should direct questions about homework to the instructor via email or during office hours.